[mythtv-users] Third Frontend solution? XBox??

[Bill Bradley]

On Mon, 2004-05-03 at 09:25 -0400, Bryan Ware wrote:
> Okay, I have MythTV running and it goes with out sating that it i
> awesome! I am looking to get a third front end box for my Big screen TV
> in the basement and i have a XBox down there now. I have been reading
> (Lots) and noticed that people have gotten Myth running on XBox-es. Do I
> have to wipe out my XBox to do this or will I still be able to use it as
> a gaming console? Also, does any one know if I have to add a mod chip? I
> don't want to destroy my XBox to get this working.. Any one have
> experience with this?
> 
> Thanks,
> Bryan
> 
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Yes,No,Yes.... You can install linux and Myth on your Xbox without a
modchip. Basically you load a hacked version of a MechAssault save game
that replaces your Dashboard so that it has a Linux option instead of
Xbox Live.  This also allows you to boot Xebian (debian for xbox)
installation disk and do an install.  Dennis Cartier has put together a
mythtv/xebian installer that takes a lot of the work out.  Here is where
you need to go:

1. xbox-linux.sourceforge.net - look for the MechInstaller instructions
here.
2.bit.blkbl.com/phpBB2 - forum site for Myth-Xbox.  This is where you go
for help on installing the myth-xbox.  

I have been running mine for months now. I have it on 2 xboxes, one
modded with a chip and one with the software mod.  The main difference
between the 2 is that with the software mod, you wont be able to play on
Xbox Live w/o getting your account banned and Xbox Live could update
your dashboard code which would mean you couldn't load linux.  With a
hardware modchip, you run can run a different bios and dashboard (plus a
lot of other goodies ;) ) and you can turn the chip off to play on Xbox
Live.  So I guess it depends on whether you want to use Xbox Live or
not, but a $119 refurbed you could buy one just for myth.  I prefer the
modchip myself, but thats just my 2 cents.

Good Luck,
Bill Bradley
wbradley at bham.rr.com